The movie opens with a young woman going to visit the statue of a famous author and starting to read his book, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. The action shifts to the contents of the book, as the Author (Tom Wilkinson or Jude Law, depending on the time period) relates the story of his stay at the hotel in the fictional country of Zubrowka and his evening with its elusive owner, Mr Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham). Mr Moustafa tells the Author the tale of his adventures in the hotel’s glory days, as a lobby boy named Zero (fantastic debut by Tony Revolori) at the side of the spectacular concierge Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes). It is a tale of love, tragedy, murder, art theft, adventure, and much more.
The glorious Gustave and his protégé Zero start out in the hotel as one would expect, but following the death of a wealthy patron things start to spiral out of control. If the constant twists and turns aren’t enough to keep you captivated, the witty dialogue will keep you fully engaged. As is standard for Anderson, this movie is full of famous faces. In addition to his usual collaborators Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, Edward Norton, and Bill Murray, Anderson has attracted the likes of Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, and Harvey Keitel to play roles that may not be huge, but are certainly significant. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for cameos, as it seems everyone in Hollywood wanted to pop up somewhere in this movie.
The characters played by these famous faces are wonderful. Even the smallest role is fleshed out to give the viewer a picture, fleeting though it may be, of who these people are. Gustave H is beautifully realised, with Fiennes occupying the role so comfortably he could carry the whole film alone if he had to. Revolori does an even better job playing Zero, a typical Wes Anderson protagonist with hidden depths, a clever and quirky outlook on life, and an adorable moustache that he drew on himself. The only downside is that Anderson keeps us at a distance from these characters: we skim their surfaces, but the humour and pace of the film keeps us from exploring in depth.
One of the most captivating things about The Grand Budapest Hotel is the way it looks. Anderson’s signature mise-en-scène is in full force here, with every shot resembling a cross between a portrait and the set for a play. The hotel is a star in its own right, and the exterior shots are breathtaking. Even if the humour is not to your liking, you will love looking at the colourful beauty of this film.
When this film ends, it does so fairly abruptly. That is the only disappointment about the Grand Budapest Hotel: our stay feels a little too short.
Wes Anderson fans will love this movie, as will anyone who enjoys humour, adventure, and quick wit. If you are looking for slapstick or a simple plot, however, it’s best to choose another film.
